The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35